My thoughts on the Phillies season.

33 games in 31 days: Game #33: The Phils set two new franchise records in wins, while keeping the Braves out of the playoffs, as they win in extra-innings, 4-3.

The Phils set a pair of new franchise records in wins as they end the Braves chances of getting into the post-season, as they win in thirteen innings, 4-3.

The Phils took the lead in the first as, with one man on, and with two men out, Ryan Howard hits an RBI double, knocking in Hunter Pence, who had just walked, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead. The Braves would tie the game up at one-all in their half of the first as, with a runner on third, and with one man out, Chipper Jones hits a sacrifice fly, knocking in Michael Bourn, who had earlier singled, stole second base, then went to third on Martin Prado’s ground out, 6-3. The Braves took the lead in the third as, with one man on, and with two men out, Dan Uggla hits a two-run home run, his thirty-sixth home run of the season, knocking in Prado, who had earlier reached base on an infield single to third baseman Placido Polanco, then moved up to second base as Bourn, who had earlier singled, then stole second, was thrown out trying to steal third, 2-6, for the inning’s first out, giving the Braves a 3-1 lead. The Phils cut the Braves’ lead to 3-2 in the seventh as, with runners on the corners, via a double by Raul Ibanez and an infield single to second baseman Uggla by Polanco, sending Ibanez to third, and with one man out, Ibanez scores on a force attempt fielding error committed by shortstop Jack Wilson on a grounder hit by Carlos Ruiz, allowing Polanco to be safe at second base, while Ruiz would reach first, making it a 3-2 Braves’ lead. The Phils tied the game up at three-all in the ninth as, with the bases loaded, via a single by Polanco, who was then pinch run for by Pete Orr, and walks to pinch hitter Ben Francisco and Jimmy Rollins, and with one man out, Chase Utley hits a sacrifice fly, scoring Orr. The Phils then took the lead in the thirteenth as, with runners on the corners, and with two men out, Pence hits an RBI single, scoring Brian Schneider, who had earlier walked, then went to third on Utley’s single, giving the Phils a 4-3 lead, while sending Utley, who had just singled, on to third base. That would end up being the final score as David Herndon would record his first career save as he got Freddie Freeman to hit into a 3-6-3 doubleplay, wiping out at second base Uggla, who had earlier walked, ending the Phils’ regular season with a franchise best 102nd win, while giving Charlie Manuel his 646th win as their manager, putting him ahead of Gene Mauch for the most wins as a Phil manager.

Joe Blanton received a no-decision as he went two innings, giving up a run on three hits, while striking out four. Cole Hamels pitched three innings, giving up two runs on four hits, while striking out a batter. Vance Worley, Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Michael Stutes and Michael Schwimer combined for six scoreless innings, giving up just two hits (Worley (1), Schwimer (1)) and two walks (Worley), while striking out eight (Worley, Madson, Stutes, Schwimer two each) batters between them. Justin De Fratus (1-0, 2.25) received his first major league win as he pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit and a walk, while striking out one. David Herndon received his first career save as he pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a walk, while striking out one. Tim Hudson also received a no-decision as he went six and one-third innings, giving up two runs on six hits and a walk, while striking out four. Eric O’Flaherty collected his thirty-second hold of the season as he pitched two-thirds of an inning, getting out the two batters that he would face. Jonny Venters received his thirty-fifth hold of the year as he pitched a scoreless inning, walking two batters, while striking out one. Craig Kimbrel blew his eighth save attempt of the year as he pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up a run on a hit and three walks, while striking out one. Kris Medlen pitched an inning and a third, giving up a hit, while striking out a batter. Anthony Varvaro and Cristhian Martinez combined for two scoreless innings, giving up a hit (Martinez), while striking out two (Varvaro) batters between them. Scott Linebrink (4-4, 3.64) took the lost as he gave up a run on two hits and a walk, while striking out a batter.

The Phils had eleven hits in the ballgame, with Chase Utley (Singles, RBI), Hunter Pence (Singles, RBI), Ryan Howard (Single, Double, RBI) and Placido Polanco (Singles), all leading the team with two hits each. John Mayberry, Jr. (Single), Raul Ibanez (Double) and Wilson Valdez (Single), had the other three Phils’ hits. Carlos Ruiz had the other Phil’s RBI on a Braves’ fielding error.

The Phils will have the next two off, before they start their divisional series with the Cardinals.

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